International diplomatic moves and economic strategies are heavily influenced by the strength of a country's economy. In recent times, India and China have demonstrated the power of having a large population combined with a surging economy. The diplomatic actions between India and Canada, and China and Japan, serve as noteworthy examples of this power shift.
India’s Strategic Visa Issue Stop for Canadian Citizens
Recently, India announced a complete halt of issuing visas to Canadian citizens, a move that is believed to be a fallout from an ongoing conflict between the two nations. This strategic maneuver comes at a time when Indian students in Canadian institutions contribute significantly (approximately $7B) to the Canadian economy. This decision by the Indian government strengthens the argument that emerging economies, like India, are flexing their muscles on the global stage.
Comparing India and China’s Economic Clout
Economic power has shifted tremendously over the past decade, predominantly towards Asia. Both India and China capitalized this power shift thanks to their huge population, allowing them to wield significant international influence. Notably, China adopted a similar strategy against Japan once its GDP surpassed it in 2010.
Behavior of Economically Ascendant Nations: China's Actions Towards Japan
After China's economy outpaced Japan's, aggressive strategic moves such as halting the export of rare metals, stopping Chinese tourism visas, and ceasing all Japanese sea products were employed. These actions essentially served the purpose of reinforcing who is in control, exhibiting a similar sentiment to that between India and Canada.
Looking Ahead: The Future Implications of India and China's Economic Growth
As both India and China's economies continue to grow, we can anticipate similar attitudes and actions imposed on other nations. Barring any economic downturn, India's GDP is predicted to be 1.4 times larger than that of the UK by 2027 and China's GDP is forecasted to surpass that of the EU by 1.5 times this year. Their dealings with other nations are expected to change accordingly, which could lead to shifts in global power dynamics.
Western Unity: The Key to Balance Power
Potential issues arising due to the escalating assertiveness of India and China could be counterbalanced by a collective response from Western nations. Despite this, current evidence suggests a fractured relationship within Western allies. The solidarity required to curtail this power shift appears to be diminishing, leading to a more geo-politically complex future.
The rising economic power of both India and China on the world stage cannot be understated. Both nations are asserting their newfound positions. The forthcoming years will reveal how the rest of the world will react to this shift. Will we see unity or disunity in the face of this growing economic clout? Only time will tell.